My name is Timothy Scott Flanders. I am 25 years old. I am young and do not have wisdom, but I seek to gain wisdom from my elders. To this end I have written this blog in order to receive correction and criticism for my thoughts and learn from others (Prov. 10:17).
I have an undergraduate degree in ancient languages from Grand Valley State University. I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I am a musician, and the music that I make is here. I have had the enormous blessing to be an AmeriCorps member for two years after college. I served with Camp Fire at an after school program where I taught kids in a class of 3rd through 5th graders. I love children. I now work with home schoolers and run a Man Training program for preteen boys.
The greatest passion that motivates me, however, is reconciling myself to my Christian brethren, and helping others reconcile. I have come to know that the greatest sin I have committed is dividing the Body of Christ. As it is written,
There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush to evil,
a false witness who pours out lies,
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
[Prov. 6:16-19]
Behold, the man. I pray that these writings and everything I do and think is an act of contrition for this sin. I want to love my brothers and sisters and repent for what I have done to stir up dissension among them. Please rebuke me if in any word written here I do not show a loving and forgiving spirit. In all things, let this be what is said:
I confess to Almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts, in my words, in what I have done and what I have failed to do, by my fault, by my fault, by my most grievous fault. Therefore I ask Blessed Mary every Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Ben
November 8, 2011
Just discovered your very interesting blog. Just wondering: are you in Ukraine? I’ve read some reports on the new Ukrainian Catholic catechism that seems to indicate it reflects a more latinized perspective reinforcing “uniatism.” Just wondering if you’ve seen a copy or have heard what Ukrainian Catholics are saying about it?
tim
November 21, 2011
Dear Ben,
I am so sorry! I seem to have seen this comment and then forgotten to reply! No, I am not in Ukraine. I just changed this About Me page to include my location. In truth, I don’t know very much about Eastern Catholicism or “Uniatism,” but it is a history that I intend to investigate soon (as my degree requires it). What latinizing perspectives are you referring to exactly? I know that there was significant Eastern Catholic input on the official Catechism of the Catholic Church, why is the Ukrainian Catholic catechism different than the official one? I could ask one of my professors who is Eastern Catholic, or you could visit this blog: http://byzantinechesterton.blogspot.com/. This is my friend who is Eastern Catholic and incredibly knowledgable. You would definitely get a good answer from him.
yours in the peace of Christ,
Timothy
Jim Brink
April 19, 2012
Dear Tim,.I know you believe that the Sacrament of Reconciliation has forgiven every single sin you have committed ~ ever! As long as you were truly sorry for them. Too many of us continue to live as if Jesus in his passion, death, and resurrection didn’t forgive all of our sin. Remember what St.Paul said, “You are a new creation; lovely in the Lord Jesus.” Christ would have died for you alone if you were the only one needing forgiveness but fortunately He died to give ALL of us salvation. In the Western Church’s Easter Hymn sung at the Vigil we hear the words “O Happy Fault which has merited for us so great a Savior.” By being in Sanctifying Grace restored in us after losing it to serious sin by the Sacrament you are living the very life that Jesus, the Theotokos and all the holy ones in heaven. You are holy because you are a beloved Brother of our Lord. I’m willing to bet that Father John would agree with me.
I taught elementary grades in my parish school for 35 years. A great gift and blessing for me. I loved the students in grades 3 and 5 the best as they knew that they did not know everything, they were eager to learn, and they loved their teacher.
Isn’t it strange that the greatest event in the world’s history is celebrated by giving bunnies and candy?
Sorry, no more preaching ever! Jim Brink
tim
April 21, 2012
Dear Jim,
Thank you so much for your words, they mean a lot coming from your years of wisdom and experience. As a former Protestant, I’m very new to the concept of repentance and confession and holiness. Thank you for the reminder that our God washes away all our sins. I am trying to heed the exhortation to bring reparation for my sins, learn humility, to produce fruit worthy of repentance, and at the same time receive the Holy Sacrifice and the assurance of His Mercy.
Please don’t hesitate to speak words like this. You are en elder, and you should be given the proper respect for your wisdom. My ear is always ready to listen to your words. Please don’t say “no more preaching.” That would be a loss of something valuable to me.
your new friend in Christ (and junior),
Timothy
Joel
July 20, 2012
Tim,
Joel here. I am an Orthodox catechumen living north of Toronto, Canada. Would you mind e-mailing me so that I can ask you a couple of questions?
haasjoel[at]yahoo[dot]ca
Thank you!
Father Peter Farrington
October 24, 2012
Great blog. I am a British convert to Orthodoxy from an Evangelical background, and am now a priest in the British Orthodox diocese of the Coptic Orthodox Patrarchate of Alexandria. I am also committed to unity in truth and love and am the co-Secretary of the Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Regional Forum, and the Anglican-Oriental Orthodox Regional Forum. It has not been updated recently but I am also responsible for the Orthodox Unity website.
God bless your service in Christ
xpusostomos
November 28, 2012
So Tim. You allowed your posting to go up at St Joseph’s: An EO Christian looks West. You’re big into authority now, did your bishop give his blessing for it?
And would he give his blessing if he knew that Orthodox Christians couldn’t give a criticism or balance your postings with some facts, but that a RC would be censoring the Orthodox to make sure it ends up as pure RC propaganda? I think not. I think he would be horrified. Much of what you wrote is terribly one sided. I’d send you some more info if you email me.
tim
November 29, 2012
Dear xpusostomos,
Grace and peace be with you, my brother. While I understand your feelings, I cannot agree that Devin is promoting “pure propaganda.” Devin is a trusted friend and we have already discussed the comment moderation and I agree with the approach he is taking.
However, I do not know you. However, I would like to discuss this further, but I think that I would like to speak with you face to face, through Skype or some such thing, as that would provide a better context for understanding. I believe that we can mutually edified by our shared experience. Would do you say, my brother, to meeting?
I will email you shortly. We can discuss bishops then.
with respect,
Timothy